JoAnn Boggs, Director

The mission of the Pend Oreille County Department of Emergency Management is to protect people, property and the environment. Through increased readiness, mitigation and contingency plans, the Pend Oreille County Department of Emergency Management empowers constituents to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major emergencies and disasters.

WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS

Winter conditions call for different driving tactics. Remember - Ice and Snow, Take it Slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It is not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to save time. If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car. Turn on your flashers, call for help, and wait until it arrives. Listen to your portable radio for emergency messages.IMPORTANT: Keep your vehicle full of gas - remember a 1/2 tank is considered empty.

Drive for conditions. Do not get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It will not help you stop any faster.

Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others.

Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These areas have the potential of developing black ice and can make driving hazardous.

Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.

Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.

Trucks take longer to stop. Do not cut in front of them.

Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Do not let your car make a bad decision for you.

Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you do not have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

Make sure someone knows your travel plans. If possible, stay on main roads.

If you must stop, remain inside the vehicle. Use a bright distress flag or your hazard lights to draw attention to your vehicle.

If trapped in a snow storm, clear your tail pipe and run your engine and heater for 10 minutes every hour. Open your window slightly.

During night hours, keep the dome light on in the cars so rescue crews and see you.

Water - 1 gallon per person, for 24-hour period. Write date on all food/water, replace every 6 months.

Warm Clothes - gloves, hat, sturdy shoes, jacket, etc.

Rain gear

First aid kit/special medications

Cash, coins for phones

Cell phone

Whistle

Games/books for kids

Pet supplies

Toilet paper/towelettes

Feminine/personal hygiene items

Infant diapers and wipes

Infant formula

Special diet foods

Welcome to the Pend Oreille County Department of Emergency Management web page. We are bracing for another bad winter this year. The National Weather Service has has issued a La Nină Advisory which will most likely resemble last year's weather with below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. For Pend OreilleCounty, they are projecting the average snowfall to be 118-120% above normal, which is what it was last year. For Newport, that would be around 75 inches.

I encourage all of you to take the time to prepare yourselves and your families for all types of emergencies and disasters. Please follow the link below that asks 'Are You Prepared?' To get started. It's one of the best preparedness programs I have ever seen.

We would like to assist with any of your prepardness efforts, so please do not hesitate to contact my office for preparation or hazard-specific materials, presentation or general guidance.